Learn to gamble in Las Vegas

Whether you are a seasoned Las Vegas gambler or gambling just for fun, one thing every gambler wants is to win money and walk away with more money than they walked in with. On the other hand, the ultimate goal of every Las Vegas casino is to make money. Casinos are designed to operate under the basic understanding that, over the long term, the house will come out ahead. This is achieved if the casinos take in as much as possible and pay out as little as possible. We have all heard the saying, "the house always wins".

Fact: You should know that Las Vegas casinos has the mathematical advantage in every game. No matter what game you play blackjack, roulette, slots, craps , Texas Hold em, Baccarat or any other casino game. Just remember that games of chance are based on random outcomes and always favor the casino.

Our goal in this section of the lasvegas-how-to.com is to acquaint you with the rules and regulations for each game, which in turn will make for a better gaming experience.

Las Vegas Comp Cards

Las Vegas Comps, which is short for complimentary is a way Las Vegas casinos rewards it's frequent gamblers by offering them free complimentary rooms, buffet passes, show tickets, and so on.

Earning comps is a way of getting free stuff for your casino dollar. To earn comps, you must have the most valuable card in any Las Vegas casino which is a "Players Club Card". Here are more information about comp cards. Never drop a single coin into a machine if you don't have your player's club card inserted in the machines card reader. The Vegas comp card is free and will allow you to earn comps you can use towards free shows, free rooms, free food and in some cases a cash rebate.

But you can’t get any of these freebies if you don’t have a players club card. Next time you visit any Vegas casino, walk straight to the players club window and sign up for a free card. Here is a list of participating casinos: Some casinos might give you some freebies right away just for signing up.

The house advantage is the difference between the true odds and the odds that the casino pays you when you win.

It is important to know the house advantage for each game. House advantages also vary by region, casino and game. Today if you ask any Vegas gambler where is the best place to play, they will most likely say, downtown or off the strip.The reason is because people believe the games with the best odds in Vegas can be found the further away you go from the Vegas strip. On the Las Vegas strip, given the common rules, the approximate house advantage for each game are as follows:

Now you see why casinos consider slot machines their "bread and butter".

Look for games with a small house advantage. For the player, the best games to play are Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat. These are the games where the house advantage are most reduced, meaning in the short run you can beat them.

Players Club Cards

If you win a jackpot of $1,200 or more in any Las Vegas casino, the casino will ask to see your social security card and have you fill out a W2G form for the IRS.

Responsible Gaming

This website encourages you to play responsibly by betting within your limits and by recognizing that over time the house will come out ahead.

To view a full copy of the American Gaming Association Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, visit the AGA website at www.americangaming.org.

Las Vegas Gambling Phrases and the meaning

All in - When a player bets all of his or her chips.Comps - Free complimentary rooms, buffet passes, show tickets, and so on, given to frequent gamblers.House Edge - The statistical advantage that the casino maintains over the player.One-armed bandit - A slot machine. Pit Boss - A table games supervisor on the casino floor.Cage - Where casino cashiers exchange chips for money.High Roller - A gambler who wagers large amounts of money.Eye in the sky - A casino’s high-tech camera surveillance network.Let it ride - To roll over your winnings into another bet.

Vegas No... No!

Las Vegas Fact

Did you know...
Children are not allowed to loiter on the gaming floor, or accompany a parent who is gambling. Please ask a security guard to find out more about local rules. Click here for more Las Vegas Facts.